Tutorial - Getting started with SIAB

This tutorial uses the sample layout (a smaller, shorter version of the Basingstoke layout), if possible have that layout open in another window so that you can follow along with this tutorial.

Screenshots shown are taken from an iPad.

  1. Open the layout and press the pause button ( top left) to pause the game while we look around.  Also click "Close" to close the introduction text box.

  2. This is how the game looks when we first open the game (and pause it):



    • The upper part of the screen shows the main view of the layout.  It shows tracks, signals and trains.
       
    • The bottom section of the screen (blue background) shows an overview of the layout - at the moment this is much the same as the main view, but on a larger layout, you can only see part of the layout in the main view, and the overview lets you see the whole layout (in less detail).
       
    • You can click on the overview layout, to move the main layout - try it - click on the right and the main view shifts to show the right hand side of the layout- click left and it shows the left etc.  On a larger layout, this allows you to select which part of the layout is visible in the main view.
       
    • Top of the main view is the Clock - the clock shows the game time and runs at twice normal speed (ie a minute of game time takes 30 seconds of real time).  At the moment this is fixed, but we plan to make it possible to speed up or slow down the game.
       
    • Top left are buttons that can be used to manage the game:

    

Zoom

Use the buttons to zoom in or out on the main display.

 

Pause

The pause button pauses the game, if you need to for any reason - when paused the button and the clock change to red - you can click the button again to resume.

 

Save Game

Tap this button to save the current game state

 

Load Game

Tap to load a previously saved game

 

Timetable

click on this button and a new panel will open showing the timetable for this layout - click anywhere outside the timetable panel to close the panel.

 

Score and Log

Shows a summary of your score and log points won and lost.
    • Top right of the screen is the Train Information Panel.  This shows info on any trains active on the layout, and on first load it shows:



      There is one train on the screen - train "2J20" from Basingstoke to Reading, and it is due to depart at 09:09 - you can see this train on the layout - it's the yellow dot in the middle of the screen sitting on the red line.  It's in platform 5 (the topmost platform on the layout).  The panel shows:

      Train ID 2J20
      Description Basingstoke to Reading
      Unit/Loco type 165
      Current speed (in km/h) 0
      Current or last location Basingstoke
      Timetable time train departs 09:09
      Actual departure time (if train is running late) 09:09

       
  2. The layout (the main area) shows track sections, signal and trains.
     
    • Track Sections are the lines on the screen, they are white, red or green.  White sections are clear track sections.  Red sections are sections occupied by a train - like the one occupied by 2J20 on the screen.  Sections turn green when a route is setup for a train.
       
    • Signals are shown as circles and are red or greed.  Red means the signal is at danger: stop.  Green means the signal is clear and train may proceed.  Some signals have a white ring round the signal: this indicates the signal is in automatic mode and will automatically show green if the track ahead is clear and red if the track ahead is not clear.
       
    • Trains are shown by yellow circles (the circle actually marks the front of the train).  You can click on a train to see more information:



      the Info Panel shows the train ID and description, and the timetable for the train, in this case, there is only one entry, Basingstoke Platform 5 at 09:09

    • At the points where the trains will come into the layout, notice the labels Next Train - once we unpause the game, these will show the next train expected to arrive at these points.


  3. When you are ready, unpause the game by clicking on the pause button next to the clock: the clock will start running.  Remember as we go through the rest of the tutorial, you can pause at any time if you need to.

  4. After a few seconds (when the clock reaches 09:00) the display updates and will show the "Next Train" (see also screenshot above), we can see the first trains to arrive will be:

    1L17 Waterloo to Exeter on the Down Fast is expected at 09:01
    1O04 Manchester to Bournemouth on the Reading line at 09:09
    4K70 Quidhampton to Willesdon on the Up Slow at 09:03

    Click the timetable button to see the full detail: the timetable shows the full detail for each train, including the line the train will arrive on, which platform it is timetabled to call at, and the line it should depart on.  Note that 1L17 is booked to stop on platform 2
     
  5. In a few seconds, train 1L17 arrives on the display:



    the first signal is automatic and is clear (green) so 1L17 can pass this signal.  The next signal is red, and will not clear until we set a route.
     
  6. To set the route for 1L17, click on the signal the route will start at: the signal shows a flashing yellow ring:
     

     
    now click on the signal at the end of the route: the route is set and marked in green, and the signal clears.
     

     
    The train can now proceed into platform 2.
     
    Notes:
    1. The route will only set if the route is possible and allowed.  So for example a route from the Dn slow on the right, to platform 5 is not possible, so the route will not set.
    2. A route will not set if any of the track sections are occupied by another train, or if another route is already set over those track sections.
    3. If you click on a signal to start a route, and then change your mind, simply click the same signal to cancel route setting from that signal.
    4. You cannot set a route from an automatic signal.
    5. You can set a route over multiple signals, so we could have clicked on the signal on the right to start a route and then clicked on the signal on the left to set a route right across the layout in one click.  (The train will still stop at the platform if timetabled)

  7. Unpause the simulation (if paused) and watch as 1L17 runs into the platform and stops.
     

     
    notice that when the train stops, the train info panel in the top right shows the timetabled departure time (09:03) and the actual departure time (09:07).

    Now set the route for 1L18 to depart: click on the signal on platform 2 just ahead of the train, click on the automatic signal on the left for the Dn Fast line.

    Note, if you don't set the route, an information alert will popup to remind you when the train is ready to start.
     
  8. Two other trains have arrived on the layout (on the left) 4K70 and 1W94.  Click on these trains to see the details
     


    1W94 is not booked to stop at Basingstoke, and should depart on the Up Fast:  set this route all the way from left to right.  Set the route for 4K70 as well.

  9. Once the clock reaches 09:09 train 2J20 in platform 5 is ready to leave.
     


    note the information alert.

    Set the route for 2J20 from platform 5 to the Up Reading line:
     

     
  10. We've also got two new trains on the layout:  1O04 coming in on the down Reading and 1T26 on the up fast.  1O04 stops on platform 1 and 1T26 stops on platform 3.
     
    We won't be able to route 1O04 into platform 1 until 1W94 and 4K70 have cleared the junction.
     
  11. Once the junction is clear, route 1O04 into platform 1, and then onward on the down slow line.  Route 1T26 into platform 3.
     

     
  12. Continue routing the trains as needed.
     
  13. If you set a route by mistake and want to cancel the route, click on the signal that starts the route, and then  "Cancel Route".
     
  14. When a train leaves the layout, an information flash tells you, and points are added (if the train leaves on the correct line) or deducted (if the train leaves on the wrong line)
     

     
    points are shown in the top left of the window.
     
  15. You click the "Score" button ( ) to see a summary of your performance:


     
  16. At 09:18, train 2J21 enters from the down Reading line.  This train runs into platform 5 and reverses.  To set the route for 2J21 click the signal on the down Reading (top right) and then the purple dot at the end of platform 5: 
     


    2J21 will run into platform 5 and reverse to become 2J22 which departs at 09:30
     
  17. Continue to route trains until the last train leaves (approx 09:40).  This is only a short sample layout and only runs from 09:00 to 09:40
     
  18. Once all the trains have been handled, click the score button to review your performance.

Next Steps:

  • Try running the simulation again, with a little practice you should be able to score 100% on this simple layout.
  • Try a more complicated and longer game: the Basingstoke layout is a larger and longer version of this sample layout.

 



Creating Layouts for SIAB
Features
Notes
SIAB Home
Tutorial